Signs of progress under Marvin Bartley continued to emerge as Livingston combined defensive resilience with moments of quality in a dramatic encounter against Rangers in West Lothian.

Livingston returned to the Home of the Set Fare Arena facing one of Scottish football’s most demanding tests as Rangers travelled to West Lothian, with signs of gradual progress continuing to emerge under Marvin Bartley.

While results had not always reflected performances, recent displays suggested the side were developing greater structure and resilience following the managerial change at the end of January.

Narrow defeats against Falkirk and Celtic had offered glimpses of improvement, with Livingston showing increased organisation both in and out of possession. The late Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain strike that denied them a point against Celtic underlined the fine margins at this level, yet the performance hinted at a team growing increasingly comfortable with Bartley’s approach.

Last time out, Livingston had demonstrated that growing resilience by recovering from a two-goal deficit against Dundee. Responding to an early Simon Murray double, Livi fought back to secure a hard-earned point; a result that reflected persistence and an increasing belief within the squad.

Rangers arrived in strong attacking form, having scored 15 goals across their previous four matches, presenting another significant challenge for the hosts both physically and tactically.

After the encouraging display against Dundee, Bartley named an unchanged starting XI in his 3-5-2 system, emphasising continuity as Livingston looked to build momentum. New recruits Joel Noubel and Barrie McKay were included on the bench, offering additional attacking options should the game open up.

Rangers made two changes from their victory over Hearts, with James Tavernier returning from injury and Djeidi Gassama coming into the side as Danny Rohl maintained an aggressive attacking structure.

Rangers controlled possession early on, forcing Jérôme Prior into a series of impressive saves as Livingston defended with growing organisation.

The visitors moved the ball quickly through wide areas, yet Livingston’s defensive shape remained compact, limiting clear openings despite sustained pressure.

Against the run of play, it was the hosts who struck first after fourteen minutes. A free-kick delivered by Robbie Muirhead was met superbly by Brooklyn Kabongolo, whose powerful volley flew beyond Jack Butland to give Livingston a deserved 1–0 lead and spark life inside the stadium.

The goal lifted the home side, who began to grow in confidence while continuing to defend resolutely. Prior remained alert to deny further Rangers efforts, while a chaotic scramble inside the Livingston six-yard box saw multiple blocks prevent Youssef Chermiti from equalising.

Livingston also threatened on the break, with Muirhead and Cristian Montaño providing outlets that relieved pressure and allowed the hosts to regain shape.

As the half progressed, the game opened up into a competitive contest, yet Livingston carried their advantage into the interval thanks to Kabongolo’s strike.

Danny Rohl made a change at half-time, introducing Bojan Miovski as Rangers sought to increase their attacking presence. Prior was again called into action early in the second period, producing a fine save to keep Livingston ahead. Moments later, the hosts doubled their lead.

A break down the left saw Emmanuel Danso feed Lewis Smith on the edge of the area, and his low drive found the bottom corner beyond Butland to make it 2–0 and ignite belief among the home support.

The momentum shifted dramatically soon after when Cristian Montaño was shown a straight red card for bringing down Gassama as the last defender, reducing Livingston to ten men.

With the numerical advantage, Rangers began to dominate possession, pushing Livingston deeper into their own half and forcing them into long periods of defensive concentration. Yet the hosts remained resilient, with Danny Finlayson producing a vital clearance off the line and Prior continuing to frustrate the visitors with a series of important interventions that preserved Livingston’s lead.

Substitutions followed for Livingston, with Macaulay Tait and Emmanuel Danso receiving warm applause as they departed, while Joel Noubel made his debut for the Lions.

Rangers’ pressure eventually told when Bajrami’s effort from the edge of the area found a way through a crowded penalty area to reduce the deficit with just under ten minutes remaining, setting up a tense finale.

The atmosphere intensified as Rangers pushed for an equaliser. Tavernier delivered a dangerous cross which Mikey Moore met with a glancing header that squeezed past Prior to level the score, silencing the home crowd momentarily but setting the stage for a dramatic closing spell.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Livingston continued to threaten on the counter-attack, showing both discipline and determination as they searched for a late opportunity of their own.

Nine minutes of added time heightened the tension inside the Home of the Set Fare Arena, with both sets of supporters urging their side forward. Livingston defended with determination through a frenetic finale, throwing bodies in front of shots and showing the resilience that has begun to define Bartley’s side.

When the final whistle eventually sounded after an extended period of stoppage time, the home crowd rose to applaud a committed performance that secured a hard-earned point against one of the league’s most in-form sides — a result that felt reflective of a team continuing to grow in confidence and identity.

Match report: Alastair Hogg

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